My library finally found Original Wisdom and got it for me. I almost have it finished and I havn't had the book in my hands for 24 hours yet. I highly recommend Original Wisdom to anyone who wants a first hand account of what life is like outside of our Dominant/Taker Culture. Maybe our way isn't the one right way to live.

Well written memoirs of a western trained scientist visiting/living with tribal people over many years. this book touches on everything from crime to dreams. a must read!

the true narratives in this book are expressed in simple beautiful prose. these are first-hand accounts by the author about his experience with other cultures during childhood and adulthood. my favorite was the chapter 'we take care of each other' which expressed how one village views people we would label 'mentally ill' and how they treat those people.a book not to be missed if you want to expand beyond your own cultural myopia.

This book is truely a blessing to anyone who reads it. I first read it years ago. I picked it up again the other day and started to read it again. It stills hold my attention and ministers to me. It is down-to-earth and real. One can really relate to the life of Robert Thom and his sins. But as God saved
Robert, He can save anyone from sin. Get multiple copies of this book because you will want to share it. May God richly bless each of you. To God Be The Glory Forever and Forever!

When I first read this book it was in a very critical time in my life. I was a new Christian and had become very ill. A friend loaned me this book and it ministered to me in ways I cannot describe. His honest approach to questioning the things of God and his simple responses to God's promptings were a breath of fresh air. I have tried to adopt his simplistic honest approach to serving our Lord and Savior Jesus into my life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to take an adventure in learning about the love, mercy, compassion, patience, and providences of our Father.

THE NEW WINE IS BETTER WAS WRITTEN BY MY FATHER ON A VOYAGE FROM NEW YORK TO SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND IN 4 DAYS.IT DEPICTS THE FAITH AND HOW THE CHALLANGES WERE OVERTURNED BY THE FAITH THAT MY FATHER POSSESSED.FROM HIS TRAVELS THAT STARTED IN THE LATE 50'S, THAT TOOK HIM ALL OVER THE WORLD PREACHING. MY FATHER NEVER RECEIVED A PAY CHECK FOR 35 YEARS BUT HIS NINE KIDS NEVER WANTED FOR ANYTHING. PURE FAITH AND BELIEF. A TRUELLY GIFTED LIFE OF GOSPEL.

This book covers all of the basics very well. Essential reading material for any level of hockey player and coach. I have read it over and over again.

When I wanted to improve my game I asked people around for the best book to get. They recommended this one and after seeing myself improve I recomend it to.

from basic conditioning to advanced play development, this book will help the coach bring his players up a level. the player reading it will see improvement in their game. the drills are explained in a clear manor and will definately improve the ability of the player. the section on play making is outstanding. when teaching some of the plays to my bantam and midget players, it was like a light bulb went on in their heads when they caught on to the play. this is a must have book for any one involved in the game of hockey.

The collection is inspired and intriguing. The range of emotions created in readers by the poetry of Emily Dickinson is demonstrated through the variety of thematic works presented. From the humorous (Emily Dickinson Attends a Writing Workshop, and Emily Dickinson's To-Do List) to the introspective (The Deconstruction of Emily Dickinson), to the wishful (Emily Dickinson, Bismarck and the Roadrunner's Inquiry)--each gem is carefully chosen by the authors. If the reader is not familiar with Dickinson's work, this book will inspire a thorough reading of her poems. For those who know her work, the recognition of the power of her work will bring knowing smiles and memories. A note to the previous reviewer: the Billy Collins' poem, Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes, is included in the collection (p. 13-14).

An interesting thematic collection that sometimes is a homage to Emily and at other times (As in X.J. Kennedy's poem) gently pokes at the Emily cult. It seems that almost all poets pass through her writing at some point and at least take a sip if not a full glass. They really should have included Billy Collins' poem "Undressing Emily" which is funny, sad and, I think, lovingly done.

I thought that this book was OK. It is for dog lovers, though. It has pretty good description and I thought had a decent plot.

This is one of two versions of Elder B. H. Roberts' masterwork of theology. The other edition being published by Brigham Young University Studies. I have both, so I will be comparing and contrasting them later in the review.

The story behind TWL is a little complex. Elder Roberts (1857-1933) was a prolific writer, theologian, thinker and a scrapper. Near the end of his life he produced a manuscript called "The Truth, The Way, The Life," which was to be a compact summation and extension of his theological thought. The manuscript was reviewed by a blue-ribbon committee, but was never published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints primarily for his advocacy of "pre-Adamites," and also speculation about God's progression in knowledge among other things. In the late 1960's, President Hugh B. Brown photocopied the manuscript and gave it to one of his grandsons, Edwin B. Firmage, with the instruction to preserve the book. Mr. Firmage donated the manuscript copy to the University of Utah, and then curator stand Larson decided to publish the book.

The copyright of the book, along with the three manuscripts of the book were owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so it was thought that they could publish a joint version, but the talks broke down, so Larson published with Smith Research Associates, and BYU Studies published their own version, with photo-static reprints of the three manuscripts.

The book itself follows the outline set by the title: Truth, Way, Life. Elder Roberts begins with a dissertation on the truth, and then goes into cosmology, with then-current (1925) science. He relied heavily on Spencer's "First Principles" for much of his metaphysics. He then discusses the nature of humanity, the Intelligences described in Latter-day Saint theology. He has a section that surveys ancient religions, with special emphasis on the Hebrew Religion. He concluded the first section with a discussion of creation.

The second section focuses on the Way. It covers the creation of Man, the fall, and then the history of the earth from Adam to Christ. The second half of the second section is a lengthy elaboration of Christ's atonement. This is probably the best part of the whole book; since the Atonement is the heart of Christian doctrine.

The Life is the third part of the book., and this section focuses on the "Sermon on the Mount," and the Christian's character. It concludes with a chapter on celestial, or eternal marriage, which is peculiar to the Church of Jesus Christ.

This book is really a condensed version of Elder Robert's "Seventies Course in Theology," and frankly I prefer the "Seventies Course in theology" to this one-volume version simply because TWL lacks the depth and detail that "Seventies Course in Theology" has. Roberts covered more ground and looked into the implication of things Mormon better than he did in the TWL. The only advantage TWL has is that it is more streamlined, focused, and refined in many areas.

Looking over the book, I really wish that Elder Roberts has acquiesced on the Pre-Adamites, and Progressing God issues. Except for these one or two things (in addition to the outdated science and metaphysics), it is a good book, and the chapters on the Atonement (which are word for word from the "Seventies Course in Theology") are superb. In fact, I think that the controversial chapters-and the controversy itself-- have eclipsed what was good with the manuscript.

One thing that Elder Roberts missed was elucidation upon "Eternalism." He devoted a chapter to Eternalism in his "Seventies Course in theology," be he overlooked this rater fascinating concept in this book. This striking doctrine is unique to the theology of the Saints and deserves a place in this book.

Regarding the two editions, the Larson edition is, bar far, the more readable version of the two, and follows closer to the pattern Elder Roberts used in his "Seventies Course in Theology." Moreover, it is in soft back, so the book is cheaper. This edition has commentary by Leonard Arrington and Sterling McMurrin, two staunch Mormon intellectuals, and fans of Elder Robert's work. I would recommend this edition to anyone with a passing curiosity of the book, the subject or the man B. H. Roberts.

However, the BYU Studies version has the better commentary, with articles written by Truman Madsen, David Paulsen, Andrew Skinner, and James Allen. Plus, this edition has the better index and helps at the end of the book, with a summery of Joseph Fielding Smith's arguments against evolution and pre-Adamites. Plus, this edition has an extension to chapter 31, which chapter was read to the Quorum of the Twelve, which rounds out Roberts arguments for pre-Adamites. This edition is less readable, with many strikeouts and spelling corrections. These are absolutely unnecessary for the layman and get in the way of getting Robert's ideas. For the very curious, I recommend the BYU Studies edition.

This is a good book in certain areas, but both editions suffer from having too much useless information. I would suggest a streamlined, layman version that combines the best of both editions. It would have the Larsen edition's format, which follows the "Seventies Course in Theology" with the chapter outlines and introductions, and I would not have any strikeouts in the text, and use the Larson diagrams. Just edit it as you would a normal book. I would use the BYU Edition's chapter summery in the table of contents, use its better index, scripture citations, and not worry about the minor variant readings. Follow the Larsen's edition of having "A Modification of the Orthodox View" back in controversial Chapter 31, and integrate the variant introduction the BYU Edition has in the appendix into one introduction. Also have the additional material in the BYU Edition that was appended to Chapter 31 (p. 318-322) put in as an appendix to that chapter. I would also silently update the astronomical information to bring it in line with the twenty-first century.

I feel guilty only giving this story three stars, given its immense historical significance. The problem I had with "Gilgamesh" is that I never felt moved by the story (reportedly the oldest story ever told). The Biblical flood is there (with minor significant differences) and the Potiphar's wife theme is interesting (if ultimately only marginally convincing), but I was never even remotely drawn into the tale. My difficulty is not with the translator (Danny P. Jackson) but is instead with the original story and stone tablets themselves. Quite simply, as described by Robert D. Biggs, the discovered tablets are too fragmented to allow for a story with a satisfying logical flow. This makes the story no less important, but it makes it an unsatisfying read. The temporal aspects are a problem as well. I'm aware of the differences between values as shared between different cultures, and these differences can only be magnified across time. Nevertheless, even with a reasonable Bibical background from which to draw, I found Gilgamesh's motivations to be beyond my ken. Both Biggs and James G. Keenan do an excellent job of introducing and describing "Gilgamesh," but I still found myself unsatisfied upon completion. Maybe I'd be more sympathetic were I reading it for study, but as a work read for my own enjoyment and fulfillment, it didn't quite do the trick.

I just wanted to take the time and give proper acknowldgement for this wonderful rendition. This past year I have had the opportunity to study mythology under the direction of Mr. Jackson, and he furthermore discussed this literary work into a living, breathing organism. The easily comprehensibile text paired with the beautiful artistry and reproductions of ancient Sumer have created a delightful reading environment. It is throught the interventions of art and mythology that people can begin to see a distinction of time and place. Mr. Jackson has accomplished this in his beautifully translated literary epic! Thanks for a great read!!

Jackson, a former seminarian, in his preface wonders why he had never been given any information on Gilgamesh written long before Judeo-Christian literature. Such a relief to read this because I've been wondering the same thing. I have just recently discovered Gilgamesh, and it is hard to understand why, after a lifetime of being bombarded with bible literature, I have to accidentally encounter a book that contains many similar concepts as the Bible, but predates it by more than 2000 years.

Reading the epic by Jackson has added an important dimension in my enlightening travels through the different Gilgamesh epics by Maureen Kovacs, N.K. Sanders, John Gardner & John Maier and the first epic I read on the Internet by "Robert's Stuff".

Jackson's Gilgamesh is engaging for its use of adjectives that are reminiscent of my Catholic background. Some examples: "sacred places ...sacrilege" (p 3), "miraculous plant" (p 88), "My god ...My god ... My god (p 94).

Hopefully more people will become aware of this early literature. I've encountered so few who have even heard of Gilgamesh.

Ever wonder while wandering the aisles at your local supermarket, how in the world all those products make it to the shelf? There is no doubt about it, from your favorite kind of cereal to your regular brand of toothpaste; the packaged goods we choose to buy are the end result of a long, arduous and costly process. These products have been researched, re-formulated, re-designed, tested, re-tested, perhaps altered innumerable times before given the final approval to appear at your local shopping center. Not to mention the millions of dollars committed to ensure that we know about them through television, newspapers, magazines and other forms of media. It is a process that can take years, often beginning as an idea in someone¹s head, and ending with a tangible, three-dimensional package or container that ultimately holds the item we have chosen to give our allegiance, our loyalty. We form relationships with these products. We go far and wide, and to great lengths to find them, and are unhappy if we can't get them.

Marketers everywhere are missing dinner with their kids, pulling all-nighters, steeped in market research and ad agency pitches, just so we could enjoy the most tasty cereal or the most whitening brand of toothpaste with baking soda. And these are only the products we know about; the ones that actually make it out the door! Ever wonder about the ones that never make it, or the ones that you saw today but are gone tomorrow, never to be seen again? Just ask Mr. Whipple. He's seen them come and seen them go. Charmin may still be "squeezably soft", but where is the Crystal Pepsi? Seemed like a good idea at the time. How about "smokeless" tobacco? Rabbit Jerky, anyone? Executives had countless meetings over these products, committed large amounts of resources to them, and spent millions of dollars to perfect and bring them to market. Unfortunately, most of them failed in the marketplace.

How each of these came to market, as the brainchild of one or more marketers at nearly every consumer products manufacturer in the country, is quite a story. Steve Backer, the advertising executive best known for the "I'd Like to Teach the World To Sing" Coca-Cola jingle puts it in familial terms. Executives "parent" these ideas, like they would children, and they grow and are nurtured by "uncles" and "cousins" and even "grandfathers" and "godfathers". They develop benefactors, and are protected and defended. Sometimes defended too well. It is the process of how an idea ultimately becomes a reality, and the generic term we apply to this process is marketing.

This is a subject of great interest to Robert McMath, a Marketing guru, i.e. consultant, who spent many years with the Colgate-Palmolive company, and Thom Forbes, an advertising journalist who, among other things, spent time as the editor of Adweek. In fact, they wrote a book about it, and the book is appropriately titled "What Were They Thinking? Marketing Lessons I¹ve Learned from over 80,000 New-Product Innovations and Idiocies".

This is a great book. And very valuable if you are a marketer. It could very well steer your career in the right direction. Written with wit and insight, McMath and Forbes take us through the last several decades of new-product launches, and are quick to point out that most of them have been duds. In fact, statistically, the chance of any new product really succeeding with a bang is plainly slim. If you don¹t believe me, go and visit the New Products Showcase and Learning Center in Ithaca, New York that McMath runs. It is the repository of more than 80,000 of these household consumable items that he speaks about in the title that at one time or another were considered "new and innovative" or "new and improved". And although the emphasis of this book is clearly what went wrong, rather than what went right, the facts bear out the conclusion. But don't get McMath and Forbes wrong. They both have a keen understanding of the dynamics of consumer products marketing, and are writing from a position of admiration and love of the business. This is not a treatise on the death of marketing, but rather a somewhat wistful and sweeping assessment of the results of some of the most ambitious and colossal undertakings by consumer products companies over the years. Certainly, the successes are included here, and are given their just kudos. What is striking, however, is the lesson in marketing we take away in hindsight from examining why these products and launches never caught on, and why some of them should never have been allowed make it to market.

McMath and Forbes cleverly assesses the highlights, er, lowlights, of some disastrous and costly marketing, along with some spectacular and flawless successes, and the approach is to take an altruism or marketing aphorism, and demonstrate the appropriate success or catastrophe. "Fooling With Your Cash Cow" was meant for Crystal Pepsi. They admonish PepsiCo for wantonly fooling with its flagship brand. There are also chapters on "Me-Too Madness" and "Thou Shalt Not Deceive", which extol the pitfalls of joining the bandwagon way too late, and not being totally above board on your advertising. My personal favorite is "Buy-This-If-You-Are-A-Loser" School of Marketing. The lesson here was Gillette¹s FOR OILY HAIR ONLY shampoo. What seems very much a matter of common sense now did not seem so back then. Of course, some of us have oily hair, but who wants to announce it in their shopping cart?

Throughout all the poignant examples, however, is a real desire to analyze de-facto, what contributed to these failures, and how they might be avoided in the future. Every lesson is sincere, and makes an attempt to intelligently and honestly assess the results in useful terms. Albeit entertaining, a deeper understanding of the vagaries and whimsy of consumers and marketing make for a great read and some very funny scenarios. From killer clerks to obstinate CEO¹s, not all the blame lies with the marketers. Some products are just destined to bomb due to an overwhelming negative force quite beyond the control any one individual, except perhaps the one having the power to say Yes or No. McMath, having been an "eager beaver young marketer who is going places" himself, tells the story of his first product

assignment with Colgate-Palmolive. He was to redesign and re-launch Palmolive Aftershave Lotion. Back then, it was in a molded plastic bottle and was a rich dark green in color. It sold for a buck, and had enjoyed some popularity in the late forties and early 50¹s, and by the time McMath got a hold of it, was lagging in sales of under $1M. That was an unacceptable figure for Colgate, and management wanted it fixed. Truth be told, on the shelf, the rich dark green liquid looked more like dirty water compared to the brilliant blues and sapphires of some of the competition. After a new bright blue formulation and some updated packaging, the prototype made it all the way up to the top, a VP of the Division, who promptly canned it because he hated the color blue. Marketing Lesson 101.

Throughout the book, McMath and Forbes keep the criticism fairly topical, yet accurate. As accurate as one can be in retrospect. The scenario¹s are plenty, and cover everything from Futurist marketers pronouncing products for the millennial zeitgeist, to simple dumber than dumb mistakes that should have never made it past pencil and paper. The tone is always even, but hardly dispassionate. And the issues are certainly relevant to today's marketplace, including some philosophical commentary on brand extensions, category development, new products and advertising.

All in all, the book leaves you with a distinct flavor; one part caution, one part common sense, mixed with the knowledge that ultimately, no matter how much planning, preparation, foresight and wisdom, no one can predict with certainty the success with which any new product will be met. McMath and Forbes give us just enough to think about the next time we go shopping.

This book could be used by an English teacher as a model of good writing; it is clear, direct and easy to read. McMath's experience scripting concise and informative advertisements and labels shows. The emphasis on food products dominates, which limits the scope of this book somewhat. Nevertheless, the principles which are illustrated by these examples are sufficiently general to be of interest to most readers working in other areas. The book not only deals with failed products, but also presents examples of the right way to do things. It is nicely balanced and informative.

This is an excellent book that tells all about the vagaries of new product development in the fast-moving consumer goods area. It is written with wit and humor, making it an easy read. It names names and is overflowing with case histories. If you're an entrepreneur, marketing person, PR/ad-agency creative or suit, you must read this book. It will save you time, money and embarrassment. It is absolutely true.

I apologise for the negative sound of this review, but I simply can't recommend it. I was so angry when I read it. To me, it seems that Mr. Lake has some very serious problems with Women and Power. He also seems to have problems with humanity, in general. He takes Shamanism and really slams home the rules ... the laws ... right down to listing them in the back. But Shamanism isn't about rules outside of the context of each individual's culture/practices. There are no laws for Shamanism. I do not doubt the sincerity with which Mr. Lake wrote this, but I fear some un-enlightened person will read this book and learn only one lesson - self loathing. I came away from reading this book with the idea that the Spirits really think we're all scum, our bodies are filthy, and that women in general are unclean. I cannot agree. I can only hope that this is either a terrible mis-reading of his intention, or if he really felt this way that he has since healed.

If this is your first book on Shamanism, general Native American practice (although there is no such thing as one practice for all N.Am. cultures), I can only believe that bad, self-hating habits will mar any future potentential.

Please do not make this your first book.

I like this book; I am NOT entirely happy with it; but it is a well written volume.

Page 7: "There is something different about a person who is meant to be a Native Healer. You are born with a special kind of power, gift, talent, and knowledge." _| I can not agree more. I received many beatings, and was put on medication (at the age of six!) for telling the truth about what was happening to me. It's as if you are living in the same world; but with a different set of rules.

Page 7: "But a real medicine man should not have to identify himself as such. It is not the indian way." _| Medicine people will not identify themself as such for fear of offending their helping spirits.

Page 12: "The path to becoming a Native healer is full of trials and tribulations, suffering and sacrifice." _| It takes time for the Shaman to develop compassion for their brothers and sisters; but I believe the Shamanic path is MUCH worse in the east (especially in the bible belt) than where medicine people are common.

Page 15: "I have met people who claim they identified their "totem" through meditation or a tarot card reading, but they are only fooling themselves." _| I have never had a tarot card reading to discover my totem animal, so I will reserve comment. I CAN speak to discovering your totem animal via meditation. In meditation you will experience the totem animal you EXPECT. Your totem animal will NOT infrienge on your free will.

Page 31: "To become a medicine man or woman you must be a lonely person because human beings won't really understand you." _| I think the author mis-wrote. I would substitute the words "lonely person" with the word loner. Just because a person is a loner; does not mean she or he is lonely.

Page 35: "Some of the medicine people in the southwest use datura medicine." _| Datura is a halucinogenic, and will induce visions like other halucinogenics such as Peyote, Hayascua, and others. I do NOT recommend the use of halucinogenics. Anyone that can not journey in the spirit world without these crutches is not much of a shaman (in my opinion).

Page 35: "but I did try peyote once with Stanley during one of his sacred ceremonies. I didn't like it at all. I got terrible headaches and was nauseated;" _| I have never used ANY halucinogenics, and never will.

Page 60: "Anyone who is meant to be a medicine man or woman will know it sooner or later. He or she will be shown in dreams, instructed in dreams, then guided to an older medicine person who will intuitively "know"; and that person will become a mentor." _| This is not always the case. Many times the prospective medicine person is left to their own devices. If you experience things others do not; go in nature, and pray for guidance, then look for omens, and record your dreams (your spirit helpers can easily offer guidance through dreams).

Page 61: "For me it became a calling into the medicine ways and an initiation into shamanhood." _| This Shamanic initiation idea drives me up a tree! A shaman can not make or initiate another shaman. If the spirits work with you; you are a shaman (no matter what you call yourself or others may call you). If the spirits do not work with you; you are NOT a shaman. It is that simple.

Chapter 6 "The training Of Women Healers; Past And Present" is a bit explicit.

Page 119: "There are insane asylums in this country full of people who have become posessed, no matter how the White doctor tries to rationalize and explain it." _| I could NOT agree more. I am of the opinion; that about 90-95% of them can be helped without dugs such as Paxil, Prozac, etc.

Page 126: "The pipe was also used as a means to summon the shamans spiir allies; in this sence it served as a "key to the spirit world"." _| It is A key; not THE key. Using a rattle to summon the spirits, or leaving a gift of cornmeal, food or tobacco are other keys.

Page 135 - 136: This "shadow" often follows people home and torments them by causing poltergeist types of activity: opening doors, rattling windows, etc. Periocicaly, it even attacks by jumping full force onto the victims chest. It is often seen as a shadowy figure darting across the room, but many people simply dismiss it as a figment of their imagination. Thom further explains that the shadow comes in two forms human or a large cat." _| I am of the opinion these shadow entities are shape shifters, and will take on whatever appearance that will cause the most fear or panic. I have personaly seen them take the form of humanoid, snake, and spider. Esmeralda Arana in her book "The path: A Practical Approach To Sorcery" reports being frightened by a large shadowy spider during a hypnogogic state. Dr. Clark Wilkerson in his book "Hawaiian Magic" relates the story of one of his clients that had been tormented by visions of shadow snakes.

Page 136: "but I think it (shadows mentioned above) likes to prey on those who have a weak aura; or people who are emotionaly or mentally weak and under some kind of stress." _| From my experience; they prey on people who have irrational fears (phobias), or people that have a lot of envy, hatred, jealousy, or other negative emotions; then feed of that person's lifeforce, and the more fear, or negative emotions they can insill in a person; the more palatable the energy is; to these beings.

E-Mail if you have questions or comments; Two Bears.

Since I have known the author personally for the past ten years,(and happen to like him a lot) this review should be taken with a grain of salt. However, the vitriolic way in which some other reviewers have responded to this book prompts me to write a reply.--It seems the baby is being thrown away with the bathwater.

From a Western point of view, one could certainly interpret the moontime (menstrual) practices traditionally followed by the Yurok (and many other tribes for that matter)as androcentric and blatantly sexist. But Robert Lake, without pulling any punches, is simply outlining what he has learned from his apprenticeship with sixteen different elders (both male and female) and from the experience he has gained acting as a traditional healer.

If people are interested in embarking upon a traditional spiritual path, there is much to be learned from reading this book. I learned most of its contents through direct contact with the author and his wife over a period of years. The book is practical, accessible, and provides an inside perspective on a dying cultural milieu. It is certainly worth a read.